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10 Advantages of Epoxy Floor Coating
November 29, 2018
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Whether you need to refurbish outdated flooring or seal your concrete surface, epoxy floor coating can transform your space while fortifying your flooring. This floor coating is surprisingly useful for preserving concrete surfaces and protecting against harsh impacts — all while showcasing a glossy finish.
Coating the floor of an auto shop, room or garage has many benefits. Epoxy floor coating is resilient and seals your floor, bringing safety and beauty to any well-trafficked area. If your floor is uncoated and has been left open to damage, epoxy can shield your floor from any further damage and bring a level of professional refinement it may be lacking.
What Is Epoxy Floor Coating?
Epoxy floor coating is made of epoxide resin, polyamine hardener and other additives. When not used as a floor coating, it is often used as an adhesive. As it is mixed, it forms a chemical reaction that gives your floor distinct qualities. One of the most important qualities that this chemical reaction produces is new stability and endurance in the surface. This process seals and cures the surface it is applied to, forming a firm bond. Check out the advantages of epoxy floor coatings to determine if this is the right choice for your space.
1. Appearance and Covering Defects
Epoxy floor coatings transform spaces into complete and sleek areas. Whether a garage is part of your business or your home’s garage needed sprucing up, an epoxy coating will produce an elegant look. The shiny surface complements any decorative lighting you have in place. As light bounces off the epoxy, the space will gain a new dimension.
Epoxy also covers previous defects your garage floor may have sustained. Epoxy offers several designs and color options to outfit your garage or room in the right tones. To hide imperfections even more thoroughly, choose epoxy paint, which mixes the durable substance into the paint color of your choice for a masking effect.
Decorative chips of mica or quartz can be added to the epoxy mixture for a speckled look that also adds better traction. This style adds an intensity and extra pieces to catch light and glimmer. Metallic epoxy coatings are also captivating options to increase this polished ambiance. You can dress up practical rooms without sacrificing convenience with an epoxy floor finish.
2. Cost Effective
Epoxy is an affordable option compared to current flooring removal, the purchase of new tile or vinyl and additional installation costs. Your current flooring material doesn’t even need to be removed, sparing you a time consuming and pricey experience. Revamping your flooring does not have to include overly expensive and involved processes if you opt for an epoxy finish. Retain your current floor and save on installation while gaining a smooth and bright new look.
If your concrete floor is not giving you the look and benefits you’d like, epoxy is a simple and cost-effective solution for an industrial-style location. Epoxy installation does require a few coats with drying time in between, but this still beats the amount of time and money that alternative flooring would cost. Any imperfections that arise, if treated quickly, also have affordable repairs options.
Professional installation will be a worthwhile investment because the length of time that the flooring stays intact makes this an efficient choice. Allowing experts to complete this process will be the most cost-effective option. Professionals are experienced in avoiding poor application practices and taking necessary protective measures.
3. Resistance
Fortify your basement, laundry room or garage with an epoxy coating, because it can block harmful elements that are sure to encroach on high-traffic spaces. Epoxy features many kinds of resistance which add to its reputation as a hardy flooring method. It bears the brunt of heavy shock, heat, chemicals and water. It’s perfect for garages since cars can emit many corrosive chemicals.
Shock
Epoxy is shock resistant, which is a testament to its toughness. Impacts that would normally worry you, like heavy items toppling to the floor or the wear and tear of cars driving on the surface, will not harm epoxy coating. Any tools, machinery or even recreational gear that is dropped on the ground will not leave a mark. Jarring crashes will not chip your concrete any longer with a thick layer of epoxy covering the ground.
Heat
Once dried, epoxy also can resist certain levels of heat. The typical heat limit of epoxy is 200 degrees Fahrenheit, but higher grade epoxy can withstand even higher levels of heat. Phosphorus-containing epoxies withstand heat better than those without, so this is added into the mixture at varying levels to achieve optimal resistance. Heat resistance is ideal for garages storing cars and even kitchen flooring.
Chemical
Chemicals that are either left behind from your car or accumulate from housework will not affect epoxy. If your car collection in your garage requires extensive work and brake fluids or oil end up on your flooring, there is no need to panic. Chemicals can be cleaned up without damaging the epoxy coating. The density and depth of the layering keep chemicals from seeping through to the concrete and leaving any harmful residue.
Water
This water-resistant substance keeps your floor from distortion due to flooding or spills. Depending on the kind of epoxy, some surfaces may be more slippery than others when the water does not soak into the floor. If water collects on top due to how impervious it is, extra grip for epoxy floors can even be added by requesting slip-resistant aggregate.
4. Long Lasting
After the initial installation, epoxy will not need to be redone for an extended amount of time. The coating endures longer than tile, carpet and wood flooring because of its resistance to shock, water and even stains. The appearance of epoxy will last for years because of its durable and protective qualities.
If you want to establish a flooring that you won’t have to replace regularly over the years, epoxy is a practical option for preparing garages and basements for long-term satisfaction. The longevity also reinforces the cost-effective advantages of this coating application.
5. Protection
Epoxy is a sealant and protects concrete and other floorings. This impressive shield goes right over the underlying surface. The concrete beneath the epoxy will last longer because the membrane-like coating of the epoxy bonds to the top of the rough flooring. This keeps the concrete from wearing down, cracking or even crumbling, and it works as a preservation overlay.
The surface does not retain stains and keeps defects from appearing in the concrete. Usually, more than one coat is applied over a few days, so the layering and bonding of the epoxy ends up as a thick and rubbery sheet.
6. Strength
Epoxy can not only handle impacts and shocks, but it can also withstand substantial weight. The tensile strength of epoxy sets it apart among adhesives, but as a coating, epoxy remains a sturdy covering. Adding epoxy to concrete can enhance its ability to hold weight, and certain kinds can even increase the concrete surface strength from about 3,000 pounds per square inch to 10,000 pounds per square inch.
The strength of the epoxy is also present in its ability to keep from peeling and tearing. If epoxy bonds to the concrete properly and maintains a standard rigidity, then the surface will be stable enough to hold heavy loads and wear and tear.
As a kind of resin, epoxy is sturdy even though it looks like glass or a breakable veneer. The tenacity of epoxy is in the hardener, a part of the epoxy compound which is made of polyamine. This synthetic substance is a corrosion inhibitor that screens the bolsters its constitution.
7. Ease of Maintenance
Another advantage of epoxy is its simple upkeep. By covering the concrete, there is a reduction of dust and cement particles released onto other surfaces in your room or garage. Unlike a plain concrete floor that is coarse but brittle, you can easily sweep and maintain the shiny and resilient surface of epoxy. Dust becomes less of a nuisance when the primary source of residual concrete is contained.
Salt from winter roads does not affect epoxy, and you can remove the build-up just as easily as other particles your car may leave behind. Whether you choose to use a mop, broom or vacuum, cleaning epoxy floor coating is a simple process. Even bacteria, germs, grime and other contaminants do not adhere to epoxy, so it is an effective and sanitary coating.
The surface also resists scratching if heavier cleaning appliances are needed. Soap or detergent and water are the simplest and best cleaning methods for epoxy, and you should avoid acidic products due to their potential to dull the shiny surface. The previously mentioned resistant features also help with maintenance, as any water or chemicals can be wiped away without tarnishing the floor.
8. Safety and Visibility
Installing epoxy floor coating increases visibility in large garage spaces and rooms. This is one safety measure that epoxy adds to your space, as the surface reflects light to illuminate the entire room. Most epoxy choices have an intense sheen that produces an elegant look, and this shiny quality can keep you safe by increasing the amount of light in a space.
Other elements of safety for epoxy include traction in certain epoxies and anti-slip mixes. Additives can increase the stability of your epoxy flooring so that falls are less likely to occur. Polymer grit, mortar, aluminum oxide, gravel or sand can be added for different grip effects that will alter the slick surface of the epoxy. Request an additive when discussing the project with your flooring company so they can help you decide which option is best for your space.
During the curing period, the epoxy fumes will not bring harm if your installation professionals take the necessary precautions and appropriately ventilate the area. Once cured, the epoxy floor is safe for you and your family. Observe any safeguards put in place by the professionals you hire. This may include a brief extension of ventilation.
9. Compatible With Vehicles
Garage floor epoxy fits vehicle needs, as well. It keeps vehicles and their tires in top shape with its uniform surface. Concrete may add more wear on your tires, while epoxy’s smoothness will produce little to no reaction from your tires. This setting will cause less deterioration to your car, making automotive trouble infrequent.
Epoxy’s ability to hold significant weight also makes it a viable surface to park vehicles on for temporary or prolonged storage. Your car’s weight will be better supported on a concrete surface enhanced with epoxy due to the intensified tensile strength. Concrete alone will corrode over time from the weight of your vehicle and require restorative services.
The maintenance needs of cars also coordinate with epoxy’s abilities. Any chemicals or harsh substances related to automotive upkeep are not a problem for epoxy. An epoxy floor makes your garage the perfect place to perform car care in the winter, out of the chilly weather and harsh elements. You can change your oil in the comfort of your garage without concerning yourself with stains or the extent of the mess.
10. Eco-Friendly
Although it is a chemical compound, epoxy is an eco-friendly option because it requires few materials and does not need to be replaced continuously. The environment benefits from the reduction in necessary materials and machinery, as other flooring installations require saws for cutting tiles or wood and other machines. Epoxy requires the tools for rolling it out, but the amount of needed appliances is much less than other flooring methods.
Because epoxy floor coating lasts for many years, substantial amounts of material are not being used as often. These resources are only used when necessary which helps the environment. If you are looking for a green flooring option that is also cost-effective, attractive and strong, epoxy flooring should be your selection for your garage or room.
Epoxy Installation Professionals
If you have considered the advantages of epoxy floor coatings and are interested in this method for your garage or basement, a team of professionals can install your new protective and glossy surface. Discuss specifications in the epoxy floor coating style and design with seasoned professionals.
Shoreline Painting & Drywall Inc. has been around for 35 years and remains family-owned and operated. Our fully bonded, licensed and insured company can provide you with new epoxy-coated floors as well as interior and exterior painting.
For those who live in Fairfield County, Conn.; Westchester County, N.Y.; or New York City, contact us today for your epoxy floor coating needs or with any questions you may have about epoxy floor coating.
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